This is a book of mystery and intrigue…after reading the prologue, I became so confused, it took me forever to ascertain what was going on in this book…I maintain the mystery should be the murder…not determine which characters are which…the author has woven a story of intrigue, but getting to the gist of it took awhile…I do look forward to other books by this author…try this one…enjoy…the book was sent to me electronically for review from Netgalley.

It starts with one body, a man found with a hole in his head at a train station, but DI Kate Young soon finds herself awash in victims, all seemingly killed by the same person. With nothing apparent connecting the victims, the search for the killer becomes even more difficult. Are these just random killings? While she struggles with the case, she’s still actively trying to bring down crooked police Superintendent John Dickson, but how deep does the corruption run in the police force and is Kate risking her life trying to find out? I love this series, Kate is a beautifully flawed protagonist and Wyer’s background storylines are just as fascinating as the foremost plot

This book was full of everything I wanted to read. Unfortunately it took me a while to actually get into the book. But I enjoyed it

DI Kate Young is called to investigate when a young man is found on a station platform with a hole in his head. As more bodies pile up, she races to find the killer. Kate also must deal with her own demons, determined to expose corruption after her husband's death. Another good entry to the series - thrilling plot and keeps you turning the pages until the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.

This is another great installment in the DI Kate Young series. It's the worst type of case - when the crimes are seemingly random, not a single connection between the victims or locations. All she and her team have is the method that a killer is using to eliminate his victims - a gruesome, supposedly humane weapon used with animals. Aside from that, there are no clues at any of the crime scenes, nothing useful captured on CCTV, no relationships between the victims, or anything else that might help the officers determine who could be next. And at the rate the bodies are piling up, they know this killer has no intention of stopping. They make the decision to bring in a profiler, Samuel, and boy is he a character. His methods are a bit unorthodox, but Kate has no other option than to try and understand WHY the crimes are being committed, which may help them determine WHO would commit them.

Kate is also still working to bring down the Superintendent that she believes is responsible for her husband's death. She has a lot of circumstantial evidence, but not the absolute proof that she needs to take what she knows to her superiors. She's trying to locate crucial witnesses to his crimes, but fears they have either disappeared or been disposed of because of what they know. Dickson has no problem eliminating anyone that's even the smallest threat to him. Kate desperately wants to turn to her DCI for help, but she still doesn't know if it's safe to trust William. Especially because her sister Tilly insists that their father was the target of some unsavory accusations, and William was his best friend. She's never heard a word about this, so surely Tilly must be mistaken?

Kate clearly has a lot to figure out and it's safe to say that it's a bit much for her fragile state of mind. She's dead set on justice for her husband, but it may just destroy her in the process. There's quite an ending to this story, and I can't wait to see how it plays out in the next book!

Oh my word, what a thrilling read. Not a whodunnit, but a ‘how can they catch him’ story. I really like the main character and I’m pleased the ongoing story of her husband’s murder has finally been cleared up. I enjoy well written complex characters and this book has a couple; Kate herself, the first victim and the fabulously weird profiler. This series deals with the darkness of being bereaved and, even though it is crime fiction, it reminds you that the murdered characters will have grieving friends and family. Brilliant!

I’d like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I have read many of Carol’s books and they never disappoint. This one was no exception . We follow Kate Young, a detective as she is solving murders and trying to gather and obtain more evidence against police superintendent Dickson. Both storylines weave together seamlessly until the finally climax, and a cliffhanger I didn’t see coming. Can’t wait to see what happens in the next book, I enjoy that Kate and the other characters all have flaws and how those flaws tie into the storyline.

Overall the book was very atmospheric, which is something I really look for when reading a mystery/thriller. I enjoyed following the protagonist too. Kate Young wasn't unbearable or annoying to read about. I don't have anything bad to say about the story, but I also don't think that it's super impressive.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the previous ones. I'm getting tired of DI Kate Young's constant obsession with Dickson and her need to revenge her husband Chris' murder. Even the murders committed by someone who, like her is suffering from PTSD and has an unbelievable wish to murder others because of his trauma. It just felt unrealistic. Sorry!

OMG! I was glued to this third installment of the DI Kate Young series. Carol Wyer knocked it out of the park with this book.

I love Kate's character as well as the other members of her team. I hope to see more of them soon.

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

DI Kate Young is an officer permanently living on the edge. The last year has been traumatic and however hard she tries she knows its not going to get better any time soon. Her team, all three of them, are a familiar presence in her life but even with them she can't relax.

A new investigation begins when a young man is found dead on a small deserted railway station unfortunately with no witnesses or apparent reason for his demise. Someone must know something though, right?  A second killing happens far too quickly for anyone's liking doubling the team's problems and Kate juggles the current workload alongside her obsessive determination to find proof of corruption at the heart of her own police department.

With her mental health issues becoming more apparent once more Kate knows time is running out on all fronts. Does she have any chance of catching a seemingly random killer or will they and those defending the indefensible finally beat her down?

This is the third book in the series and once again Carol Wyer puts her main protagonist through the wringer! The murder investigation is Columbo-esque with the perpetrator and their reasons for killing clear to the reader from the start. The clues to understanding for the team are complex but expertly revealed and keep the pages turning long into night.

Kate and her team work. They are strong together as well as apart and I enjoyed seeing things from their pov alongside Kate's. Her sister is also here once again and showing a different side to Kate which I found lessened the tension for a short whenever she appeared. I hope there will be more from Kate and her team in the not too distant future, especially as once again the author left the reader with a cliffhanger to ponder in the meantime!

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is an excellent addition to a very good series but the previous two books do need to be read first.

DI Kate Young series by Carol Wyer
This is a fantastic Detective series. Kate Young is a brave, valiant and very human character
She is reeling from the Violent death of her much loved husband
She is also a busy detective trying to investigate a seemingly random and baffling series of murders
Meanwhile the seed of corruption running through the force keeps her up at night
She wants justice!
Nothing will stop her...
I love this heroine. She is very real and you find yourself rooting for her all the way
Cannot wait to see where she goes next
Highly recommended

My thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing Uk for a copy of “ A Life For A Life “ for an honest review.

Carol Wyer was a new author to me, when I requested an advanced copy of the first in her Detective Kate Young series of books.She has now become one of my favourite writers
I was particularly interested ,due to “An Eye For An Eye “ being set in areas in Staffordshire that I live by..
How great it was to find that the story itself was really well written , with well rounded characters and full of suspense. The second , “ A Cut For A Cut “ was equally as good .I’ve recommended both books to many readers, who have all had the same opinion as myself.
This third didn’t disappoint, I couldn’t put it down ! The only problem now is having to be patient for the next in the series .

I really like Carol Wyer's writing style. I loved the DI Natalie Ward series and it's taken me a little while to warm to this one but I think I'm starting to get there!

I like Kate's team and I really enjoyed following the investigation with them. I love how even minor characters are well developed and realistic, and how well the scenes are set.

The only niggle is that I think the Chris storyline has gone on for long enough and I always find the main investigation much more interesting than the subplot.

A breathtaking book. I have loved all the Kate Young series of books and this latest addition was no exception. An excellent plot and ending - please let there be a next one?

This is the third police procedural story in the DI Kate Young crime series. In this novel we have two focal points to whet our appetites. The first intriguing case is a series of unfathomable murders, one every day, and always committed in the late afternoon or early evening using the identical method. These slaughters were definitely committed by the same person, but just why the team couldn’t fathom. Not only that, but the modus operandi is exactly the same without any deviances. When Kate and her team are really scratching their heads, a Profiler called Samuel is brought in to help them make sense of what sort of person the killer is. He immediately becomes engrossed with his task, using his skills and perception. Samuel is an eccentric man in many ways, and not always reliable either. The crimes appear to be arbitrary, which is surprising considering the perpetrator plans everything else to the last detail. The first victim was despatched with a Stun gun as he was walking away from the train he had just disembarked from. The murders ratchet up and the team are put under pressure to solve the case before more bodies line up in the morgue. In the middle of all this, DCI ‘William’, her mentor and once her father’s best friend, persuades her to go for promotion. He knows she is talented, determined and a great policewoman. Good luck there Kate.
The second focal point in this novel is the case Kate is managing on her own and with hired knowledgeable but civilian professionals. She has taken this course because she did not know who she could trust in her own station. Kate had taken on this case after her beloved husband was murdered before he could wrap up and present the evidence he had accumulated in the case he was working on: a case about police corruption involving her own Superintendent John Dixon. She is obsessed on completing the work that her husband had died for. Her anxiety levels and mental health issues have seen her having counselling, so devastated to lose her soul mate in such tragic circumstances. Still she ploughs on with both cases determined to bring Dixon down.
The story is set in the Stoke-on Trent area and also on Blithfield reservoir, as seen on the front gorgeous cover of the book. The suspense and tension is ramped up with non-stop action, thrills and spills. There is so much at stake for Kate. The story telling is superlative and the storyboard is managed to maximise the excitement, worry and dread. It is always lovely to read books in a series because you already know the characters and as their story continues you know more and more. However this could easily be read as a standalone novel. I really admire the writing of Carol Wyer, and the good news is that she gets better and better with each story. ‘A Life for a Life’ is richly envisaged and this novel is even more authentic because of the meticulous research and attention to detail. I highly recommend this thriller for you to read.
I was delighted to receive a copy of this novel through NetGalley and publisher Thomas & Mercer after requesting to review it in return for an honest review. These are my own uninfluenced opinions. This is a definite must read if you like novels with plenty of heart, a riveting plot and plenty of suspense.

Wowsers what a read ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Firstly huge thanks to the author for the ARC.
This is the 3rd book in the Kate Young series. Now this is a perfectly good standalone read as the sub plot backstory is covered well but I urge you, if you’ve not already read the first two, do, you’re in for such a treat and I envy you the back to back binge watch.
This book is told in three concurrent parts. Kate and her team are called to the murder of a young man at a train station, which is quickly followed by further murders, the only single discernible link being the method of dispatch. Apart from this the murders appear random and unsolvable because of their randomness
We also follow the villain as he commits the murders and while we the reader get, after a while, a possible understanding you can feel the sense of hopelessness within the team as they grapple to get any possible clues, and when they do, only to have them snatched from them. It’s a credit to the excellent writing that we feel a sympathy for him too.
Thirdly the sub plot, which is unbelievably brilliant, hurtles along until you think that this has finally got to be the undoing of Kate as she is faced with not only a complete distrust of almost everyone around her, isolation and crippling loneliness, but guilt for some of her methods. An explosive ending leaves her with just one possible real choice, but is it one she could life with?

DI Kate Young #3
3.5 rounded up

Happy family group heading to the airport, then a horrifying car crash. Meanwhile, DI Kate Young is seeking the proof she needs to bring down corrupt superintendent John Dickson any way she can and especially desperately for the death of her husband Chris for which she holds Dickson responsible. This runs covertly alongside the hunt for the killer of Tobias Abrahams, swiftly followed by more deaths.

I enjoyed the last book in the series and although this one is good, I don’t think it’s quite as good as that. Kate is a very interesting central character, she comes across as enigmatic, understandably a bit withdrawn after Chris‘s death but she’s still a good police officer, very determined and hard-working. In this the author conveys her many emotions, fury, grief and desperation for revenge and justice, this is done extremely well. You also sense her looking over her shoulder as who can she trust? There’s quite a sinister feel at times, are there eyes everywhere on her? The characters in the team are also very good, some are flawed and carrying baggage but that makes them feel authentic. Emma and Morgan are especially likeable. I like the addition of Samuel the profiler who seems fascinating and he adds an extra dimension.

The case really challenges the team as they try to figure out the identity of the perpetrator before someone else loses their life. There are plenty of shocks to be uncovered along the way with moments of tension and suspense. The ending is really good and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

However, the start feels a bit disjointed and maybe a bit messy before it gets into its stride and it also becomes quite psychological in tone which causes the pace to rise and then fall on occasions. Despite this, I do still enjoy it as I really like the series and I find Kate fascinating.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Amazon Publishing UK for that much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Another cracking contribution to the excellent Kate Young series. Once I get past the obstacle of Kate trying to talk to her dead husband, I find this a very good, engrossing and involving series, and A Life For A Life is probably the best instalment. While attempting to solve her current case Kate continues to look into the past of her boss, in an attempt to bring him down. She is tasked here with joining the dots in what appears to be a succession of random killings and the case and its resolution are ultimately satisfying and revealing.

A life for a life is the third book in the Detective Kat Young series and what a great instalment it is.
The story starts with a happy family on the way to the airport looking forward to their family holiday. When tragedy strikes and an accident occurs. The wife and the kids died instantly for the father to live but devasted by his loss.
Detective Kate young is called to a young man murdered at a train station he was shot in the head. At first, they think it is a suicide but, after delving further that find that his death is the worse kind. It was a random killing and there is no idea why he was picked. As Kate and her team investigate the killer strikes again. The same random killing and locations and Kate is worried if they don’t find the killer soon, more bodies will turn up. She is also still grieving over the death of her husband Chris and often doubts her own mental health, but she has a great team, and she is up to the task to find the killer.
With all that going on she is also trying to find out who her husband’s killer is. He was killed while he was investigating some corruption in the Police Force. Kate is Brave. She wants to find out who killed her husband, but also must tread carefully as she thinks her boss is involved.
Thank, you once again Amazon for an ARC of Life to Life by Carol Wyer. This is another great instalment in the series. The storyline a bit slow at first to ascertain what it is going on but, it soon becomes clear. This is a great page turner. I like the character of Kate her determination to doing her job but also her vulnerability. And what a cliff-hanger? Can’t wait for the next instalment. 4 stars from me.

This book has it all: murder, police corruption, personal struggles, etc. The only thing missing in Kate's life is romance, but as a grieving widow, that is the last thing on her mind. While trying to solve a case involving multiple murders and few clews, Kate and her small team are chasing leads that go nowhere and racing to find the perpetrator before more lives are lost. If that's not enough to keep her busy, Kate is also still trying to find evidence that her boss is corrupt and responsible for her husband's murder. Burning the candle at both ends does not come close to describing her situation, unless it is dynamite instead of a candle. It's an exciting read and leaves us with a cliffhanger. I eagerly await the next book.

A bit of a slow starter for me but then it got going and it was a well written book with good characters and kept me on the edge of my seat until the ending.

I can definitely recommend this book and thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for allowing me to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

I think this series just gets better with each book and I really enjoyed this read. DI Kate Young and her team investigate a number of similar yet random murders and are unable to find any connections between the victims. In the background Kate is still trying to get evidence about a corrupt officer and find out who was responsible for her husband’s death. I think this is a very well written and engaging book with strong characters who are realistically and believably portrayed. The main character is flawed yet still likeable and I was rooting for her throughout. I thought the book started off fairly slowly although it soon began to pick up pace. The author captured my attention right from the start and held it all the way through. I loved the many separate story threads here, and the last quarter of the book became a real page turner of a read where all the story threads begin to connect up and the book raced to a thrilling conclusion. Even the one member of the Police team I didn’t like at the start grew on me by the end. And the ending - wow, wow, wow I didn’t expect that. Overall a great read, and the best one in the series so far in my opinion.

I would recommend this for those that like police procedurals and also that you read the books in order.

I found it really hard to get into this title as I expected much smoother writing. The constant need of the main character to get into a conversation with her dead husband also became annoying after a while.

It did get a bit better at the end.

Carol Wyer does it again! I was up late into the night reading this. Can't wait to get it from audible so I can start the series again.

Wow, what a roller cioaster ride. What a story. One of the best books I've read in a long time. This is the first Carol Wyer book I've read, she's an amazing writer. I'm now going back and reading the first two installments - it works well as a stand alone , but with how well it is written, I want to read more.

Loved it. A really human book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

#ALifeforaLife #NetGalley having just read A cut for a cut, I couldn't wait to get into this new installment in the DI Kate Young series and it certainly did not disappoint! Whilst this is capable of being read as a standalone, the reader will get more enjoyment having read the previous two books and knowing some of the back story surrounding Kate and her husband's and her relationship with Dickson and William. Excellent writing, as I have come to expect from Carol Wyer. A plot that keeps you guessing, plenty of action and twists and turns and an ending I definitely didn't see coming. I hope this series continues for many more installments! A superb 5 stars.

I read A Life for a Life without having read the first two books in the series and consequently this hampered my enjoyment initially as I struggled to catch up with Detective Kate Young's history and all the characters. I'd definitely recommend that anyone wanting to read these books, starts at the beginning.

We start with a major tragedy for a family, which leads into some horrendous crimes. Against this is the backdrop of Det Young's thirst for revenge against those she believes murdered her husband and other colleagues. Kate is decidedly flawed and on the edge most of the time, but somehow manages to keep it together - just. There are some twists and red herrings along the way as she and her team struggle to catch the rather unique killer, before we are led to a satisfying conclusion. Definitely not your run of the mill murders.

Fans of police procedurals and contemporary detective fiction with a female lead might enjoy this read.

Another gripping instalment in this now well established series with the return of several characters and a complex case for the team to solve.
Whilst Kate's need for revenge is understandable I do feel that too much of the book focuses on that as opposed to the main plotline.

Having read the Natalie Ward books and enjoyed I was keen to read this book. I hadn't read the first two but wasn't worried and indeed all you really need to know is recapped in first chapter. That said I do feel that the author has lost her way. Maybe I'm just being feeble, but I found the torture scenes at the beginning of the book absolutely shocking. as they had been orchestrated at the behest of a senior police officer. There does seem to be a trend, currently where authors compete for who can be the "grittiest", the "darkest" seemingly thinking that this is now the thing readers want. Well not this one. I enjoy a well crafted police procedural and whilst Natalie Ward could be annoying they were good reads. Quite sad really, as an author I previously enjoyed has gone so far off piste that the books are no longer enjoyable. The same story often goes on for ever. Very sad

Another fantastic read from Carol, I love this series.
Once I started reading I didn't want to stop. Kate is a great character who never gives up until she gets her killer. I look forward to reading more

I read ARC of #ALifeforaLife through #NetGalley , which is the third book of the DI Kate Young Series. I hadn’t read the first two novels of this series and I didn’t find any difficulty in understanding characters and back story etc. In #ALifeforaLife. DI Kate Young is investigating a series of murders along with secretly digging into who her husband’s killer is and gathering more evidence against the superintendent Dickson. The prologue was difficult to connect with the opening chapters and the concluding chapters were a rush. Nevertheless, #ALifeforaLife is a good entertaining novel detailing police procedure, with plenty of twists and turns, and an interesting ending. 3.5 Stars!

Kate is alone. Her husband Chris was murdered and she believes she knows the motive. He was uncovering corruption within the Police Force. As a detective herself, grieving for Chris, she is determined to investigate herself and expose his murderer. With only one ally and the possibility that any of her colleagues could be an enemy a serial killer starts a bizarre killing spree with no apparent clues or reason, Kate struggles with her grief and attempts to hold on to the sound if Chris' voice while heading the investigation. The book ends with jerk more of a jerk than a twist ! Where is the next book......

A young man is murdered, and it appears to be a random killing, no motive, no suspects. DI Kate Young is given the job of leading a small team of officers to look into this murder while still dealing with her grief following the murder of her husband, Chris, who died nearly a year ago. Not only that but she is also trying to bring down D/Supt John Dickson, who she believes is a corrupt officer and responsible for Chris’s death.

There is a lot packed into this murder/mystery and at times it felt a bit confusing. It took me a little while to get into the story and I didn’t particularly take to Kate at first. However, the other characters, such as Emma, Morgan & Jamie were interesting and believable, and it did become a page turner for me as the book and plot developed. One thing I found unbelievable was the way when the body count grew, no action was taken to expand the investigation team, and even with the premise that a senior officer was influencing this, there are protocols that would have had to be put in place. However, as a piece of fiction, it was an easy read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I was given an ARC of this book and I enjoyed it because the plot was engaging and the characters pulled along the story very well.

Kate is a complex character – grieving due to the murder of her husband while balancing her job as a police officer to catch ‘the bad guys’ – yet, who exactly are they?

After the discovery of a bizarre killing, DI Kate Young is faced with a strange trail of events.

Themes such as murder, corruption, grief and insanity are the main ingredients in this book. There are parallels between Kate and...no spoilers from me.

I liked the writing style that had some great descriptions, thoughts and feelings. I haven’t read the previous stories in this series but that didn’t stop me from understanding what was happening, while the hints of the back story were enough to know the gist of its past meaning.

Some interesting characters also helped with the authenticity of the story.

A very good read and one I would recom

A Life for a Life by Carol Wyer is hands down one of the better crime/mystery novels I’ve read in a while. The story is captivating, and the writing is superb. The slow burn story transports the reader with life-like imagery. It just feels like you are there in the moment.

Kate Young, a detective with the local police, is trying to cope with the murder of her husband Chris while still running her special crimes unit. She used to hear him, speak to him, listen to him. But now that voice is gone, and she is desperate to get it back. She wants to avenge his death but maybe that’s the reason he left her. Maybe he doesn’t approve of her ways. But can she let go? Or will she sacrifice her morals and police oath in the name of justice?

When a young, intelligent accountant shows up dead at a railway station, DI Kate Young and her team set out to find why anyone could have wanted him dead. Sometimes the “why” isn’t what we expect. Kate and her team are baffled when another case with the same M.O. lands on their doorstep. With no leads, she knows the cards are stacked against her.

A saga of loss, dirty cops, and a reminder of karma, A Life for a Life will keep you guessing.
I intend to read more from this series and Carol Wyer. It is rare to find a book so well edited and clear. The words and storyline flow with ease.

I enjoyed this book. I thought it was well written and kept me interested enough to finish reading. I did like the characters who were not one dimensional! Yes all round good book

Wow I love Carol Wyers books normally but this seemed so chaotic and miss matched that I really found it hard to read. I finished it but I hope the next in the series is more balanced and paced. #ALifeforaLife #NetGalley

The latest in a stunning series
This one has two stories running in parallel. The main story for this book is what appears to be a totally random series of murders. The pure unexpected deaths of the people, in an original and grisly manner, is a complete mystery to the murder team. The only connection, the manner in which they are murdered
The second thread is the continuing story of DI Kate Youngs attempts to find justice for her murdered husband.
She knows a bent cop was at a sex club and witnessed a murder. She knows her journalist husband was just about to expose the club and it’s members, which included some powerful people.
She just needs to find the one witness, she knows is out there, who could tie up her investigation and get the justice her husband deserves.
Brilliant

This is book 3 in the Detective Kate Young series, which just keeps improving. Kate is a complex character, a very determined police officer, still recovering from the death of her husband. The team are investigating the murders of seemingly unconnected victims at the hands of a serial killer. Kate is still consumed with trying to bring down the corrupt Detective Superintendent John Dickson, who she believes is responsible for the death of her husband. A slow burner, but filled with suspense and tension, as Kate goes on a rollercoaster of a ride of emotions to catch a killer. I urge readers to read the first two books in the series, although there is sufficient background information to satisfy.as a stand alone. It's a 5* read from me. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

A Life for a Life is book 3 in the Detective Kate Young series. In this novel we have a Erika killer on the loose with seemingly no links between the victims. It’s a random rampage that leaves Kate and her team with very little evidence as they race against the clock before more bodies turn up. Meanwhile Kate is still battling her own demons struggling with her husband’s death and still trying to bring a senior police officer to justice. This book, like the previous two, had me hooked. It moves at a fast pace with plenty of action and you feel with this instalment that you can really experience Kate’s suffering. A great read that is hard to put down. I would rate it 4.5*. Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author for the chance to review.

Kate Young is a very complex and troubled character and for very good reason. And it's fair to say that this is perhaps her most complicated case to date, which, given her current state of mind makes for one hell of an electrifying combination. If you are a fan of the series, then you are going to love this as it sees one element of Kate's very dark story brought to a rather dramatic head, whilst still giving all the twisted mystery and tension that we've come to expect from author Carol Wyer. If you are new to the series, this may not be the best place to start if you like to uncover every part of a character's history for yourself, but the case itself, the perplexing and seemingly unconnected murders that plague Kate and her team, are most definitely a standalone story that can be read in isolation.

Now the opening of this book is quite dramatic. It sets the scene for what comes to pass and it is fair to say that, once you have read it, you will automatically be on high alert. The killer in this case is no surprise to us as readers, the full circumstances of why they choose to do what they are doing may be. Although It's true that I've come to expect the unexpected in this series, and given Kate's own past, it is actually a very fitting way to take the series to the next level. It's tragic and emotional, but no excuse for what happens, and not something that the team are easily able to connect to the vicious, seemingly unconnected and almost clinical nature of the killings they are asked to investigate. It puts Kate and the team very much in the spotlight, and potentially gives those who want to see Kate's downfall, the ammunition they need to end her once and for all.

I really like Kate as a character. Yes she's a woman who is really on the edge, often battling with her conscience in pursuit of the truth, and there are many quirks to her character which give us, as readers, and her colleagues, pause for thought, but she is very likeable in spite of this. Her dedication to her job is never in question, although her private obsessions do prove to be often distracting and there is an element of her character which is in absentia this time around and it is really making a mark. That whole question over who she can trust, who is for or against her, is really brought front and centre over the course of the case, with surprising revelations throughout the book, If you know, you know. If you don't ... well start at book one and it will all be clear.

The book is packed with tension and emotion. There are scenes which are borderline uncomfortable, when you wonder if the author really has the darkness within to take the story where it appears to be heading. Whether she does, whether Carol Wyer is that twisted, you'll have to read to find out, but there were many moments when I felt my heart rate increase and I had that edge of the seat tension that I love in her books. Perhaps it is that question of 'can I really do this' that is reflected in the perpetrator of the crimes, that inner conflict and turmoil that prevents them from becoming a completely irredeemable character and amplifies the emotional impact of the crimes that are committed.

I have loved getting to know Kate and the team over the course of the three books, and seeing the development of Emma and Morgan, getting to know a bit more about each of them, has really added to the story. I like the camaraderie, and perhaps more, between the pair. They complement each other and they are fiercely loyal to Kate, even in her most abstract moments. Even Jamie shows another side to his character this time around which will only serve to make the next in the series an even more interesting prospect. And then there is profiler Samuel. It's fair to say he's a somewhat unusual character, although perhaps exactly what I'd expect in this particular team. Even by their standards though he's kind of out there and gives more reason than most for us to cast a sceptical and perhaps accusing eye his way.

This is another great addition to the series with an absolutely dynamite ending. Quite where Carol Wyer is likely to take us all next I do not know, but I'm damned sure I'll be going along for the ride.

I found the plot interesting to follow with all its twists, as well as Kate's struggle with the many troublesome issues she faces. It's a fast paced novel that I thought was going to have a satisfying ending but I was a puzzled how it closed - or didn't, as far as I was concerned. Is that the author's abrupt way of signalling a sequel?
I love the cover design, especially with the lone swan on it.
Many thanks for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

It took me a while to get back into this series, as it has been over a year since book two was released (maybe I would have been better off rereading the first two books as a refresher?). This picks up pretty much straight away, with Kate still trying to find justice for her husband’s death. You are reminded about what has happened before, but it’s not all in one lump sum; it’s spread out as and when is needed. This made it a little harder to remember everything but for new readers picking this up as their first read probably made it flow more fluidly.
The investigation was relatively tame for what I know this author is capable of. I did find the motives and reasons behind all that happened to be quite weak. I felt it was more a wake-up call for Kate about how she could have been rather than it being based on anything realistic. However, it did have an air of unjust throughout; the lives taken were such a waste.
Kate was quite frustrating throughout the book; instead of her complete focus being on getting the victim’s justice and finding the killer, she was preoccupied with her own troubles. She then threw in the mix applying for promotion; I didn’t feel like this was the right headspace for her to be in. It was just adding more into her troubled mind making her incompetent at her job. So I was finding her behaviour quite exasperating. Her constant need to reconnect and speak to Chris was too repetitive throughout the book.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad read, but I did take a while to get through it as there was just something missing from it to keep me hooked. Something was stopping me from picking it up and devouring it.

I love this series, great addition to the DI kate young set. Kate is called to a murder scene where a man has been shot in the head.. The bodies keep coming, someone is on a murder spree, its up to kate and the team to find who it is. Kate is still coming to terms with losing her husband chris and is convinced superintendent John Dickson is corrupt and knows exactly what happened to chris. Can she finally prove it or has she got it totally wrong? Highley recommend

I’m sorry but I wasn’t keen on this book. The beginning was confusing and it took me a while to work out what was going on. The writing was good, but the plot was too implausible and the long ‘conversations’ with the dead husband really got on my nerves. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC and apologies for not being more positive.

‘A Life For A Life’ is the third instalment in the Detective Kate Young series as she seeks the person who’s randomly picking victims and killing them with a humane bolt pistol. While this is happening, Kate is searching for evidence against a senior police officer who she believed to be responsible for her husband Chris’s death and other matters relating to corruption.
With the number of bodies increasing daily, Kate knows that until she and her team can find a connection between the victims they can’t begin to guess who the killer is going to target next and brings in a profiler, Samuel Links, to assist them.
I’ve been fortunate to have read the previous two books in the series so I’ve had good background knowledge and understanding of what’s happened previously, and as this latest instalment continues Kate leads her reduced team second-guessing who the killer is going to choose as his next victim.
This is an exceptionally exciting thriller that’s kept me totally engrossed from page one. It’s superbly written with a plot full of drama, tension, suspense and so many nail-biting twists and turns that I seriously doubted Kate’s ability to solve it. I love reading about Kate and her team of Emma, Morgan and Jamie, and with such a cliffhanger of an ending I can’t wait until I have the chance to read the next in the series to see where Kate’s job leads her. My thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to give my honest and unbiased review of this amazing thriller.

Another great book in the DI Kate Young series. Gripped from the first page with plenty of twists and turns but a tad confusing in places as seemed to jump about a bit. Still thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the next instalment.

I have not read the previous two books so found it confusing at the beginning. The main character obsessing about talking to her dead husband was very annoying throughout the book. As story picked up pace I began to enjoy it more. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

This was my first outing with DI Kate Young, not realising this is book three in a series. Having said that, this book reads well as a standalone, with flashbacks to the important parts of previous books. The main thing - the murder of Kate’s husband, Chris.

His murder leads to Kate running an unofficial investigation into Superintendent Dickson whom she believes to be responsible, oh, and we also have a spate of seemingly random, current murders for her to investigate too! As the bodies stack up but the investigation stalls, Kate brings in a profiler, Samuel. I felt he was an odd addition to an already offbeat team, but I did warm to his quirkiness. Samuel’s profile helps Kate to understand that she and the killer are battling similar demons. Personally, I enjoyed the official investigation storyline more than the subplot, but they do come to intertwine successfully.

I really like how the author writes and will read more of her books, which is good, as the ending is quite the cliff-hanger, and I am keen to see what Kate does next.